You guys already know that I am obsessed with T3, and I am so excited to be giving away their latest Singlepass curling iron to one lucky winner. Head on over to my Instagram to enter the giveaway! Good luck y'all...you are going to love it!

Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Recently I've become obsessed with an activewear company called Outdoor Voices. I've talked about them recently in this post here, and want to share a review of this brand today.

Fabric & Style

All of their fabrics have a heathered look to it, and come in so many fun colors. Over the past few years it has been hard for me to find leggings that I love that aren't black, and so the spring pastels of the OV line is a breath of fresh air. One of the things I love about OV is that each legging will have a matching bra in various styles. My favorite bras from OV is the slash back crop bra, and recently the double time bra.

Their leggings will come in solid colors, chevron print, and a tri tone print. Since OV doesn't do crazy patterns it keeps your activewear from going out go style. My two favorite styles are 7/8 tri tone legging, and the 3/4 warm up legging.

All of their leggings come in this compression textured fabric. Once you put on the leggings they feel sturdy, compressed, and still maintain a good stretch. The fabric drys fast so no worrying about sweat marks showing up.

Fit

I sometimes have a hard time finding activewear that fits me, and the xs fits me really great in the tops, and the bottoms.

I've never become obsessed with a sports bra, but I'm borderline obsessed with the OV bras. I have two of the slash back crops, and one of the double time style. The slash back crops don't offer a lot of support so I don't think someone with a large chest wouldn't like it. Since I am small chested the light support works for me. If you are needing more support then the double time (the one I'm wearing) would be better for you. The band and straps offer support without the straps digging into your body. I LOVE the double time bra.

Let's move onto the leggings. I have three pairs of the 7/8 tri tone style, and one pair of the 3/4 warm up leggings. Since I am 5'2 I had to get the tri tone style altered in store, but the 3/4 fit me perfectly at the ankle. All of the OV leggings are a mid rise, and will stay put all day. No worrying about pulling them up, or having a saggy butt by the end of the day.

Activity

I've put my OV to many sweat tests, and here's my verdict.

Spin. I know people love OV leggings for spin, but I personally don't. The leggings don't come up high enough on me (my waist is long for my size) to feel sucked in while I'm hunching over the saddle. I also think the material is too thick for spin. I DO love wearing the bras to spin though.

Barre. I love taking and teaching Pure Barre in OV. This is the perfect brand to wear while getting your LTB on.

Yoga. I'm not a huge fan OV for yoga just because I want something that is less compressed so my body can move freely without limitation.

Errands/Everyday. Outdoor Voices is the perfect brand to rock around town while running errands because A) who doesn't love just wearing activewear all day, and B) the style of OV will make you stand out from a crowd.

Monday, April 23, 2018

Remember last week when I told you that I was going on my girls trip to Fredericksburg? I am back!!! The trip seriously flew by in the blink of an eye, and it was beyond amazing!

We all met up around 3:30 p.m. on Friday to pack up two cars to drive the 4 hours to our Airbnb. During our road trip we communicated via walkie talkie app with lots of "maydays, rogers, and alphas." We stopped in Waco for a mandatory starbs run followed by dinner at Zoes Kitchen.

After dinner we drove the rest of the way to Fredericksburg, and finally got to our destination around 9 pm. We spent all night playing games, eating tons of chocolate, and finally crashed around midnight. To start our day off right we woke up around 9, and went into town to get some breakfast. The morning was going to be filled with visiting beautiful wineries, and used a shuttle service to transport us between each vineyard.

The first vineyard we went to was Baron's Creek. This was my favorite because it was less crowded, and the grounds were stunning!

After Baron's creek we then headed to larger vineyard called Becker Vineyard. The grounds at this location were stunning, and I got some gorgeous shots of the girls!

Since we were having the time of our lives we only did two vineyards. The tour ended at 5, and so we headed to dinner after. After we carb loaded on some burgers we went back to our Airbnb where we played games, and crashed around 9 p.m. The next morning we woke up, and packed up to head back home. The weekend was so fun, and ended way too fast!

Friday, April 20, 2018

Today is the day I've been waiting a whole month for! Seven of us girlfriends are heading out of town today to go to Fredericksburg Texas for a road trip. No one is getting married or celebrating a birthday. We are simply going to celebrate friendship!

Make sure you follow my Insta stories to see our trip. We have a solid group of girls coming, and I know this weekend is going to be amazing.

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Last week marked my 100th ride at SoulCycle, and I made it a goal to hit that after three months of riding. I'm honestly so proud of myself for completing such a goal, and feel more like an athlete than I ever have! In honor of hitting my goal here's 100 things I've learned from a 100 classes at SoulCycle.

I initially hated spin classes, and then SoulCycle came into my life!

I never thought I would say this, but I LOVE going to spin EVERY-SINGLE-DAY!

I'm surprised how much SoulCycle is a full body effort.

My crotch was sore from riding for the first two weeks, and then it never came back.

During my first class I had no clue what the freak this "tap back" was.

Riding to the rhythm of the music took me a solid 20 classes until I really got the hang of it.

Whenever we switch to riding on the left leg it always throws me off.

Riding to the rhythm of the music during runs took me a solid 40 classes.

Learning to unclip from the pedals took me 8 classes #embarrassing.

Learning to set up my bike without help took me 6 classes.

My bike height is at the number 3, and my handles bars go as low as the bike allows.

Riding with a tribe makes classes that more fun!

My friends and I have a SoulCycle group text where we share our weekly schedules on when we are taking, and how we can figure out how to ride together.

The ride tribe started off as 3 people, and ever since January we got so many more people into riding.

If the tribe and I ride at night we will usually go out for Mexican after.

I've become a better Pure Barre teacher since riding with SoulCycle because I am able to bring a different energy into my classes along with some inspirational cues.

I always need to ride with a braid or else my hair sticks to my face during body rolls.

Not all leggings are created equal, and you need to get yourself a pair that are lightweight, fast drying, high waisted, and don't create a muffin top.

I go crazy whenever there's SoulCycle Dallas apparel in studio.

My place in class is either front row or side bar.

When I want to work/check on my form I like to ride sidebar closest to the mirror to check out my form during class.

I HATE when I have to sit in the back row!

I was so determined to hit 100 classes before I moved so during March I took 41 classes.

Currently getting ready to take the SoulTogether challenge where I will be taking 30 classes in 30 days.

I love doing doubles on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays!

I'll do a triple once a week.

On the days I triple I cross my fingers that the last class won't have long runs. The wishful thinking never works ;)

Every week I keep telling myself that I am going to buy my own shoes, but always end up renting a pair from the studio.

Love my theme rides especially if Beyonce is involved!

I've cried many times during the Soul Moment song.

I have a very distinct "woo" in class. #firecracker

I've learned to put myself out there, and make friends with riders I see regularly.

My car floor is flooded with half filled smart water bottles.

Trunk is filled with dirty spin clothes that I always forget to bring inside.

If my towel drops halfway through class I know that I'm screwed. #sweatyhandlebars

3 pound weights are my bae.

Most exhausting movement? Continuous body rolls or long runs.

Favorite day of the week is Sundays when AE and I do a double class with a survivor.

When Hayes was still living in Texas AE and I would always sign up at noon on Monday for his survivors so we could always ride together on premium bikes.

Least favorite day of the week. Mondays - hardest day for me to do spin since I'm so busy with teaching all day.

I love losing myself to the beat of the music.

I have to consciously foam roll my hip flexors, and quads so that my knees don't ache.

I always read that spin makes women thighs bulk up, and I think that is a complete lie. Ever since I started spin I feel more lean, and my muscles are more striated.

I've lost weight doing SoulCycle.

My cardio endurance has increased.

Ever since doing SoulCycle I don't get as bloated.

I can remember my favorite class still to this day. It was an evening class where AE and I went to go ride with Hayes. In that class two riders were riding podium to celebrate someone's 250 and 500 class. Hayes was off the bike the whole time, and the energy in the room was insane! Tons of hoots, towel dancing, and energy went down that night. Still get chills thinking about how LIT it was.

Laundry has become endless! (March was the worst!).

I probably annoy everyone on Instagram who follows my Insta stories when I tag who I took from that day.

Had to upgrade to more expensive laundry detergent to kill the sweat stink.

I've thrown clothes away that won't shed the sweat smell. #woof

The community within the studio is amazing!

I used to never work out in just a sports bra, but now you'll never see me in a tank!

I'm guilty of rocking the matching leggings and sports bra.

I appreciate so much when an instructor will have a different playlist/class in a day when I double from them.

If I wash my hair on a day where I do SoulCycle then that wash day was ruined.

After a lit class you can see me in my car using my steering wheel as first.

SoulCycle has become a mental escape for me.

I developed a deep passion for the brand, and hope that I can become an instructor one day.

I'm sure my hair has gotten damaged with how tight I need to make my pony tails.

Different teachers offer different things - athleticism, inspiration, and a full on party.

My music library has definitely increased with so many lit songs since I started riding.

I've tried different spin classes in Dallas, and rhythm riding at SoulCycle is my favorite.

I love how SoulCycle is all about your personal journey throughout class.

During stretch at the end of class I'm always surprised by the pool of sweat below my bike.

I always love the smell of the spin room after it gets cleaned.

I treasure every time I ride, and use that 45 minutes to just focus on me.

I sleep significantly better if I ride at night.

When I ride in the morning I notice Im significantly more happy.

I'm more energized after spin.

Each ride is my own personal therapy.

I've upped my yoga practice since riding since there isn't much time to stretch at SoulCycle.

A spin high is a real thing!

The "dancing" on a bike makes class go by so fast!

I've gotten Todd to take 3 classes, and I don't think he loves it as much as me ;)

Unfortunately I've developed a little back-ne since riding with all the sweat I'm dripping. #whyyyyyyyyyyy

I might have done a "risky business" slide in my spin shoes in the hallways when I thought no one was looking. Don't worry, I had an audience!

I go so much that the front desk has memorized my information to add me to class.

I always stay for stretch while others duck out.

I've gone horse from "wooing" too much in class.

I feel more like an athlete.

Always carry an RX bar or clementine in my bag for a quick snack for post spin.

I go to the 6/6:30 am on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. I have a very distinct routine for the mornings. I always go to Starbucks 15 minutes before class so that I have that time to drink my starbs to give me a boost of energy. If I wake too late to skip my Starbucks it throws off my ride game.

I live for the SoulCycle puns... I "wheeling" love you, "soul" obsessed, you'll be "soul" missed, "soul" mates... nerdy I know!

Monday, April 16, 2018

Last week I had the opportunity to meet up with some Pure Barre girls, and invited one of our favorite SoulCycle instructors Lexi to dinner with us. I was coming back from a shoot, and wore this little number to dinner. Since the PB girls and I love us some Mexican food we decided to go to one of our favorite spots in Uptown Mi Cocina for dinner. The night was full of strengthening friendships, and getting to know Lexi outside of the studio.